Since 2004, an internet rumor — originally in the form of a chain email, according to the ASPCAopens in new tab, but now frequently appearing on Instagram and Facebook — has claimed that Swiffer WetJets pose a serious danger to dogs.
The viral story alleges that the popular cleaning device caused the death of a beloved dog; the pup’s kidneys failed because the Swiffer contains a chemical similar to antifreeze. The warning has certainly given thousands of pet parents pause — but is it true, or is it another instance of online misinformation?
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The short answer: no. The Swiffer WetJet isn’t nearly as harmful to dogs as the rumors would have you believe. In fact, the crux of the internet-famous warning is completely fabricated.
“A common rumor suggested that its ingredients were similar to ethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance found in antifreeze, but this is inaccurate,” Dr. Nell Ostermeier, a veterinarian and spokesperson with Figo Pet Insuranceopens in new tab, tells Kinship. “The cleaning solution is primarily water-based and contains solvents that are considered safe for pets at the concentrations present in the product when used as directed.”
